Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The University of Notre Dame picked up the top defensive tackle in America when Eddie Vanderdoes announced he would sign with the IRISH this evening. Here's a link to a Sacramento TV station's coverage of the announcement -- along with a link to Eddie picking the ND hat!

Ironically, the TV reporter admitted his wife is a "Notre Dame alum" during the segment. Click on the link below:

Take a look at the job Coach Kelly and his staff did in putting together one of the top college football recruiting classes in the country!

Half of the class was ranked among the top ten at their position in the country!

We took the TOP TWO PLAYERS out of CALIFORNIA!

Here's the players ranked in the TOP TEN in the country at their position:

The #1 ranked outside linebacker in the country -- Jaylon Smith

The #1 ranked defensive tackle in the country -- Eddie Vanderdoes

The #2 ranked athlete in the country -- Max Redfield

The #2 ranked running back in the country -- Greg Bryant

The #2 ranked offensive guard in the country -- John Montelus

The #3 ranked quarterback in the country -- Malik Zaire

The #5 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- Steve Elmer

The #5 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- Hunter Bivin

The #6 ranked running back in the country -- Tarean Folston

The #9 ranked defensive back in the country -- Cole Luke

The #10 ranked offensive tackle in the country -- Mike McGlinchey

The #10 ranked defensive end in the country -- Isaac Rochell

In addition -- if you look at the STATE RANKINGS of each of these Notre Dame student-athletes -- here's where they stack up in the fifteen states (and the District of Columbia) represented in this 24 player class:

He's one of the top players in the country -- no matter the position -- and he just announced that he's going to wear the GOLD HELMET! Eddie Vanderdoes, Placer High School (Auburn, CA) signed a National Letter of Intent this evening to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

Recruiting experts have him ranked as one of the top players in talent-rich Florida and one of the top running backs in the country. Tarean Folston, Cocoa HS (Cocoa, FL) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

The University of Notre Dame has received the commitments of twenty-four of the top high school football players in the country today -- a recruiting class generally regarded as one of the top three in the nation. Here's a look at the future of Notre Dame football:

Coach Brian Kelly met with the media today -- along with a number of his assistant coaches -- to talk about the student-athletes who signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Notre Dame. Here's the coverage that I've come across:

He's regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects coming out of high school football by recruiting experts. Cole Luke, Hamilton HS (Chandler, AZ) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

He's considered one of the best safety prospects and top athletes in high school football by recruiting experts everywhere. Max Redfield from Mission Viejo HS (Mission Viejo, CA) signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

The name will be familiar to baseball fans around the world -- and he's one of the top wide receivers in the country. Torii Hunter, Jr. signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

Recruiting experts everywhere believe he's one of the top players (at any position) in the country -- PERIOD. Jaylon Smith from Bishop Luers HS (Fort Wayne, IN) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

He's what recruiting sites call a FIVE STAR prospect -- one of the very best players at his position in the country. Greg Bryant, a running back out of American Heritage School (Delray Beach, FL) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

He will arrive at Notre Dame as the tallest football player to ever wear the GOLD HELMET! John McGlinchey, William Penn Charter School (Philadelphia, PA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

Recruiting experts rank him as one of the top offensive lineman in the country. John Montelus, Everett High School (Everett, MA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

His dad is one of the NBA's all-time great players and people -- yet football is this student-athlete's game. Corey Robinson, San Antonio Christian HS (San Antonio, TX) enrolled last month at the University of Notre Dame.

He's out of the same high school as Michael Floyd -- and, just like #3, he is the top ranked player coming out of Minnesota! James Onuwalu, Cretin-Derham Hall HS (Saint Paul, MN) enrolled early last month at the University of Notre Dame.

He was selected the top high school football player in the state of Michigan and recruiting experts hail him as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. Steve Elmer, who's already enrolled as a student at the University of Notre Dame, signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

He's one of the top QB's in the country with an accurate arm and the athletic ability to extend a play. Malik Zaire, Archbishop Alter HS (Kettering, OH) enrolled early this past month at the University of Notre Dame.

He is one of the top linebackers in the country -- sounds like a broken record, doesn't it! Doug Randolph, Woodberry Forest School (Richmond, VA) signed a National Letter of Intent today to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

The University of Notre Dame has asked that I let you know this blog is not affiliated, sponsored or endorsed by them...

Besides being a lifelong fan of the University of Notre Dame, my wife Susan and I are the proud parents of three great kids; Jimmy (a former Irish Guard), Kara and Brady. I also "triple" as a Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at Notre Dame. So, if you ever have a story idea, thoughts on how this blog can better serve Notre Dame fans, or you just want to talk Notre Dame -- feel free to reach me at; jim.small@ndgoirish.com